Improvement in floating draw-bridges



3S11eets---S11ee'cl-A H. H. GORRINGE.

' F'LOATING DRAW-BRIDGE. N0.171,7ZZ. Patented Jan. 4,1876..

TVI JV'E SES .NVF/V 0R N. PETERS. PHOTO-LHHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D CV 3Sheets-Sheet 2.

H, H. GURRINGE.

FLOATING DRAW-B IDGE.

Patented Jan. 4,1876.

' have inven ted certain new and useful Improveend of which is angular,the other end curved.

UNITED 1 HENRY H., GionRINGE, on WASHINGTON Y OF Ol\TE-FOURTH HIS RIGHTT0 J. B. GORRINGE, OF SAME PLACE.

i IMPROVEMENT IN l'lLoATlNe DRAW-BRIDGES..

l.3',.Speciication forming part of Letters Patent No. 171,722, datedJanuary 4,*1876; application filed I .fg DecemberTo'attachentitchy/concern: EfBeit known that I, HENRY H. GORRINGE, of.-W-a'shington, in the District of Columbia,

mei-its in Floating Draw-Bridges, which improvements are fully set forthin the following specitication, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings..

My invention relates to an improvement in floating draw-bridges, moreespecially in the method of arranging and securing the floats, andproviding for the rise and fall of tides and rivers. It is adapted tonavigable waters of every description over which fixed bridges, or thosein part iixed and in part floating, would be objectionable for any causewhatever. It is especially adapted to railroad-crossings at localitieswhere any obstruction in the river, &c., would be against the interestof navigation, and to tidal waters where changes of level are ofconstant or frequent occurrence.

-Inthe drawings, Figure l is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan, showingone pair of floats thrown open. Fig. 3 is ahalf-section and elevation ofone float, showing the method of securing andpivoting it. Fig. 4 is aside elevation, showing my adjustable approach operating at high water;Fig. 5, the same at low water. Fig. 6 represents a plan view of threemodifications of my method of joining the end float to the abutment.Fig. 7 represents a chainguide in plan and elevation. Fig. 8 shows inplan the crutch shown in elevationin Fig. 3.

` My invention consists of the following parts and combinations: X arefloats of any suitable dimensions and construction. P are pivots,consisting of iron or wooden piles. A are anchor-piles, screwed into theriver-bed, so that the top will be ilush with the surface of the bottom.C are chain-cables, the ends of which are secured to the anchor-piles Aafter passing around the drum of a windlass situated on the end of theiioats. H are engine-houses, containing suitable machinery for revolvingthe windlass. In Fig. 3, E C is a bearing, one

The angular end is bolted to the edge of the iioat; the circular endclasps the pivot-pile, so as to permit free vertical motion. B is aband,

.secured to the pivot atiany .suitable depth below low-water level, so`that the bottom of the float will not rest on the chain W 'whenl of theoat, or reeved through a sheave, and` thence carried on vdeck to'bem'ade'fast. The

,-,position of the'eyebolt F or sheave R is such that the chain W makesan angle with the end of the lioat X.

In localities where there is but a small difference between high and lowwater levels, it

would not be necessary to u se a sheave, asV

there would be little difference in the length of the chain W at anystage of tide.

In Figs. 4 and 5, Xl is a float of suitable dimensions, constructed withan angular or inclined bottom, K, and an angular or curved end, I. Lrepresents a permanent landing, such as a wharf or a iiXed approach to abridge, or any other stationary structure. The end I of the ioat X is soinclined as to permit motion in arc of the lower extremity Withoutcollision with the abutment.

The float X may be either a single cornpartment, or may be divided intotwo or more compartments, as shown in the drawings.

At or near the bottom of the ioat X is placed a valve, V, of anysuitable construction, which, when opened, will admit water into theJioat. O is a pump for emptying water from the float X', or any of itscompartments. The extremity S of the float Xl may be adjusted to anyfloating body by any suitable device.

The operation is as follows: The Hoa-ts X and X having been secured tothe pivots P, in the manner set forth, and the swinging ends having beenmoored to the anchor-piles A, as heretofore described, the ends arebrought togetherland connected by any suitable device, so as to form acontinuous roadway across a river or other navigable water. l/Vhen it isdesired to open the bridge, so as to permit the passage of vessels, &c.,the windlass is revolved by means of the machinery attached, so as to,swing the turning end of the'float,

bringing it perpendicular to the direction of the bridge. As shown inFig. 2, this operation may be performed with either. or with all,DISTRICT oF COLUMBIA, Assienon ofthe floats, thus practicallythrowingopen" any partor the Whole width of the river for purposes ofnavigation. When it is desired to close the bridge to form a roadway,the windlass is revolved in an opposite direction, bringing the floatorloats in line.

Aloat constructed after the pattern of `X would, if empty, assume theposition shownin Fig. 5, the deck forming an angle with the water-line.If the angular compartment were full of water, it would assume theposition shown in Fig. --the deck parallel with the `Water-line.Therefore it is evident that, by admitting water into or pumping it fromthe compartment, the end T of the float X may` be kept on a level withthe abutment L, while the end S of the oat X remains on the same levelas `the end ofthe adjacent oat X. Thus an easily-adjusted apron isprovided for the transit of trains or other bodies in motion from afixed to a varying plane.

I claim as my invention- 1. `A number offloats of suitable dimensionsand construction, secured in pairs or singly to pivots screwed .ordriven into the river-bed, and

moored .to anchors placed insutable positions in the river-bed, so thatthey Willform a con-` tinuous roadwayacross a river or .other navi-lgable vvater, and open at any or all points to permit the free passageof "vessels without confining` them to one .draw-opening, or .anyparticular channel or locality, substantially as 1 l described.

2. The floating approach or hulliX, provid` ed with` an inclined orangular bottom, K, and` an inclined or angular end, I, either or both,

substantially as and for the purpose shown.

3. In combination with the` crutchor bear ing E G, the chain W, securedto the pivot l?` and eyebolt F, or reeved through a sheave and securedon the deck of the float X, 'sub` `stantially as and for the purpose`shown.

4. In combination with the floats X,pivots" P, anchors A, chains C, theend floats X','and` the bearing and chain E, C, and W, substantially asand for the purpose shown.

Witnesses:

THoMAs C. GoNNoLLY, WARREN I. COLLAMER.

HENRY H. Gommoni.`

